"It is a magnificent epic," Prescott declared of his own work, the splendid History of the Conquest of Mexico, after its publication in 1843, and indeed, it is still hailed today as his masterpiece. Reverberating with hints of Greek tragedy and classical drama, this is a sweeping and enthralling account of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cort s's crushing of Montezuma and his Aztec empire. Perhaps the most important work of Latin American history, it is "one of the most brilliant examples which the English language possesses of literary art applied to historical narration," raves Prescott biographer Harry Thurston Peck. "All the chief actors of his great historic drama not only live and breathe, but they are as distinctly differentiated as they must have been in life." Also available from Cosimo Classics: History of the Conquest of Peru, Prescott's companion volume about Pizarro's subjugation of the Incans. Historian, writer, and scholar WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT (1796-1859) was born in Salem, Massachusetts. A regular contributor to the prestigious Boston literary journal North American Review, he also authored numerous books of history, including 1837's The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic, a critical and popular success in both America and Europe.

"The Conquest of Mexico" in 4 volumes is one of the best-known works by an American historian William Hickling Prescott. Contents: VIEW OF THE AZTEC CIVILIZATION: Ancient Mexico Aztec Empire Judicial System Military Institutions Mexican Mythology The Temples Astronomy Tezcucans Decline of their Monarchy... DISCOVERY OF MEXICO: Spain under Charles V. Colonial Policy Expeditions to Yucatan Hernando Cortés Conversion of the Natives Great Battle with the Indians Christianity introduced Voyage along the Coast Spaniards land in Mexico... Account of Montezuma Spanish Encampment Plan of a Colony Management of Cortés Foundation of Vera Cruz Conspiracy in the Camp The Fleet Sunk MARCH TO MEXICO: Republic of Tlascala Desperate Battles Decisive Victory Peace with the Republic Spaniards enter Tlascala Terrible Massacre Ascent of the Great Volcano Entrance Into the Capital... RESIDENCE IN MEXICO: Description of the Capital Montezuma's Deportment Further Measures of Cortes... Montezuma swears Allegiance to Spain Politic Conduct of Cortés Discontent of the Troops Insurrection in the Capital Rising of the Aztecs... EXPULSION FROM MEXICO: Desperate Assault on the Quarters Storming of the Great Temple Death of Montezuma Retreat of the Spaniards Great Battle of Otumba War with the surrounding Tribes Spaniards cross the Sierra... SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF MEXICO: Arrangement at Tezcuco Battles at Xochimilco Narrow Escape of Cortés Conspiracy in the Army Beginning of the Siege... Indian Flotilla defeated General Assault on the City Successes of the Spaniards Termination of the Siege... SUBSEQUENT CAREER OF CORTÉS: Submission of the Country Rebuilding of the Capital Settlement of the Country Christian Missionaries Voyages and Expeditions Cortés Returns to Spain Brilliant Reception of Cortés Cortés revisits Mexico His Voyages of Discovery Final Return to Castile Death of Cortés...

A dramatic account of the conquest of Mexico, from first contact with the Aztec civilisation through to Cortes' expulsion and subsequent career. The book is not only interesting for the historic content withe relevance to Latin America to this day, but also as a notable example of historical scholarship and of English literature in general.